Hydraulic timer

ABSTRACT

A TRANSPARENT HOLLOW TUBE FILLED WITH A VISCOUS LIQUID INCLUDES A TIMING MEMBER WITH SPECIFIC GRAVITY SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF THE LIQUID. INVERSION OF THE DEVICE FROM A REST POSITION ALLOWS THE TIMING MEMBER TO ASSUME A NEW POSITION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DIFFERENCE IN SPECIFIC GRAVITY FROM THAT OF THE LIQUID. GRADUATED MARKINGS ON OR ADJACENT THE TUBE PERMIT VISUAL IDENTIFICA-   TION OF THE TIME POSITION. A FURTHER ASSPECT IS THE FORMING OF THE TUBE INTO A HELICAL PATH.

BML 12,7 @gm vu M, YQUN@ HYDRAULIC TIMER Filed April 14, 1969 ma@ W w o J N TN f E N06 M www d f MZ www M United States Patent O 3,553,959 HYDRAULIC TIMER Virginia M. Young and Garth L. Young, Jr., both of 327 S. Medio Drive, Los Angeles, Calif. 90049 Filed Apr. 14, 1969, Ser. No. 815,675 Int. Cl. G04f 1/08 U.S. Cl. 58 144 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A transparent hollow tube filled with a viscous liquid includes a timing member with specific gravity significantly different from that of the liquid. Inversion of the device from a rest position allows the timing member to assume a new position in accordance with the difference in specic gravity from that of the liquid. Graduated markings on or adjacent the tube permit visual identification of the time position. A further asspect is the forming of the tube into a helical path.

The present invention relates generally to a timer, and, more particularly, to a timer providing approximate timing measurements in the order of minutes for household use.

There are many activities in a household, particularly in the kitchen, where it is desirable to know generally the passage of short periods of time, but where these periods do not have to be precisely indicated. For example, in the cooking of eggs, certain individuals like two minute eggs, others three minute eggs, and so forth, but the measurement of the two and three minute intervals does not have to be accomplished to a high degree of accuracy.

Although clocks are readily available in the home, they require relatively close attention of the individual to note the passage of a short period of time. And, in the case of a housewife, for example, having a number of different duties to perform, the timing of a particular cooking operation of, say, a few minutes can easily be forgotten due to the press of other affairs. Therefore, although timing devices such as clocks are readily available, they do not command the attention when the time is up, particularly for short periods of time. There are, of course, alarm signals incorporated into many types of clocks; however, they usually cannot be easily set for short periods of time.

It is, therefore, a primary object and aim of this invention to provide a timing device which is simply operated and readily commands the attention upon expiration of a preselected time period.

The device of the present invention includes generally a hollow, transparent body filled with a viscous liquid. A timing member having a specific gravity significantly different, either greater or less, from the fluid is included within the fluid. Closed end members are provided on the transparent hollow body in order to contain the fluid and timing member therein. Timing indicia are provided adjacent the hollow body.

In use the assembly is inverted from the position in which it has been resting, and the timing member will then, rise to the top if the timing member specific gravity is less than that of the fluid, or move downwardly, if the specific gravity of the member is greater than the fluid. Movement of the timing member between the timing indicia accords the passage of time.

A further form of the invention contemplates forming the transparent hollow object into a general spiral form wrapped about a central support such that the timing member will move in a spiral path downwardly (upwardly) and command the attention of the user.

3,553,959 Patented Jan. 12, 1971 ICC FIG. 1 is an elevational view of one form of the timing device of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the timer of FIG. l taken along the line 2 2.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3 3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a modified form of the invention of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5 5 of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6-8 depict a further form of the invention in which the timing member follows a generally spiral path during operation.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERREDy With reference now to FIGS. 1 and 2, it is seen that the timing device of the invention, identified generally as at 10, includes a cylindrical, hollow tube 11, the ends of which are received in pedestals 12 and 13 and sealed by members 14 and 15. The pedestals have fiat ends such that the entire assembly can rest on either of the pedestals and be maintained in an upstanding condition.

The bore of the tube 11 is filled `with a viscous liquid 16, such as, for example, mineral oil, corn syrup or any one of a number of different types of clear fluids having a relatively high viscosity. It is also contemplated that a coloring agent may be added to the liquid in order to make it be more readily noticeable to the user.

A spherical timing member 17 is included within the fluid and within the bore of the tube. This spherical member can be constructed so as to float, i.e., have a specific gravity less than the liquid, or it may be constructed of a material having a higher specific gravity, and therefore would tend to sink within the liquid. It is contemplated that the timing member be constructed of a material having a color strongly contrasting with that of the liquid 16.

As shown best in FIG. 3, the diameter of the spherical member 17 is such as compared to the internal dimensions of 11 that a restricted area for flow-by of the liquid is provided. In this manner, the transit time of the member 17 is increased.

In use, the device 10 is rotated so as to rest on the pedestal other than the one on which it has been resting, whereupon the timing member ball will either float upwardly or sink within the tube at a rate dependent upon the viscosity of the fluid, the relative difference in specific gravities of the fluid and the timing member, as well as the size of the timing member as compared to the bore of the tube. Indicia 18 on the outer surface of the tube mark off time increments in minutes such that as the spherical member moves between adjacent marks, a passage of time of approximately one minute has elapsed.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the modified timing member 19 rather than being in a spherical shape of FIG. 1 is constructed generally in cylindrical form having an axial bore 20 therein. Otherwise, this timing member can also be constructed of the same materials as the spherical timing member 17 of the FIG. l version.

In operation, the timing member 19 moves upwardly or downwardly in the contained liquid in -very much the same manner as the spherical member 17, except that the bore 20 permits passage of the fluid therethrough, providing an additional controllable factor for setting the rate of movement of the member. Also, when the liquid and member 19 are of contrasting colors, movement of the liquid through the bore 20 produces an eye-catching effect, thereby further enhancing the attention commanding aspects of this form of the invention.

FIGS. 6-8 represent a further form of the invention a quantity of viscous liquid lling said tube; and in which a hollow tubular member 21 is formed into a a spherical body located within said liquid and of general spiral shape. Pedestals 22 and 23 are connected such relative dimensions as to permit movement to opposite ends of a central support column 24 about therewithin.

which the spiral tube is arranged. In use, the timing device R f s Cit d 1s rotated to place 1t on a new pedestal, and the included 5 e creme e timing member then moves along the tube cavity through UNITED STATES PATENTS the fluid. Indicia marks 25 may be carried by the support 2,417,641 3/1947 Fischer 58-1X column. By virtue of the inclined path, the ball will move 2,714,927 S/ 1955 Stern et al. 58--144 slower and extended time range is achieved. l0 3,025,665 3/ 1962 Dock et al. 58-144 What is claimed is: 3,240,007 3/ 1966 Dock et al. 58-144 1. A timing device, comprising: a column; RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary lExaminer a pair of pedestals axed to the column, one at each E C SIMMONS Assistant Examiner end, said pedestals having a pair of support surl5 faces substantially parallel to one another; U S CL X'R a hollow transparent tube extending along a helical 58 1 path about the column and having its respective ends secured to the pedestals; 

